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Mariam Sampebgo suffers from acute clubfoot, a congenital deformity of the lower limbs characterized by an abnormal curvature of the foot and/or ankle joint. Despite her physical difficulties, the young student courageously continued her studies. She refused to let her physical condition get her down and dreamed of working in the health field.
Unlike most people, Mariam does not use sandals in the classic way. Due to her disability, she wears shoes on her hands that help her move around. Since childhood, she has learned to live with this situation without complexes, without reservations, and to act independently to meet her needs. But behind this fragile appearance lies an impressive mental strength. Despite the fact that Mariam failed the 2024 Advanced Level Circular Course (BEPC) exam, Mariam is determined to continue her studies. She dreams and strives to make a difference in the health field and to reduce the burden on patients.
Resilience Model
Despite the different looks people give her, Mariam doesn’t isolate herself. “At school, I behave like any other student. When the teacher is at the blackboard, I raise my hand and participate, without regard for appearance,” Mariam says. She adds that by associating with others who don’t have complexes, her comrades have changed the way they see her. According to her mother, Mariam is the most positive child in the family. Mrs. Sampergo, who has been widowed for many years, has had to raise her children alone. She has nothing but praise for her daughter. “She helps me with the housework and doesn’t behave like someone with a physical disability. What I like about her is that she is very happy and smiles. Sometimes she is pensive, but she never laments. I am her mother, but I find her admirable. She is also a very protective mother of her daughter.” For her mother, Mariam is an example of perseverance despite life’s difficulties.
Mariam helps with the housework
Mother of a Daughter
Besides her academic and physical challenges, Mariam was also a young mother. Despite the challenges her disability presented to her, she fully assumed her responsibilities as a mother. She continued her studies while taking care of her child with love and attention. It is noteworthy that this episode in his life had an impact on the smooth progress of his studies. “I had to put my studies on hold when I became pregnant and lived with my daughter’s father. Then, our relationship deteriorated and I returned home to enroll in night classes,” she told us. Despite her disability, her pregnancy and delivery went smoothly. “My entourage and I were scared, but everything went well and I gave birth to my daughter without any major problems,” she assured. Her situation was a double motivation for her to provide a better future for her one-year-old.
Unshakable Faith
Gandhi, the famous philosopher and politician, said: “Life without religion is life without principles, and life without principles is like a ship without a rudder.” This philosophy particularly resonates with Mariam, who is very fond of her Quran and her prayer rug. She spares no effort to practice her faith, which gives her the strength to overcome life’s trials. “I believe that God has kept me alive for a specific reason, and I must never doubt Him. Apart from my disability, I have no serious illness, and I am lucky to have a child. I can only thank God,” the little girl said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zr2CAETCPE
Continuing to study is her top priority.
Young Mariam’s first ambition is to become a health worker. Even though she admits her academic difficulties, she believes in them. For her, attending night school will not help her get the BEPC. That is why she hopes to raise enough resources to join the day course at the beginning of the next academic year. “In the evening course, we learn less than the day course. So I want to enroll during the day so that I can be better supervised,” she says, while seeking help from the association or someone who can support her in this regard.
To Mariam Sampego, no matter what the situation is, we must always pray and thank God
Later, she wanted to create her own association to educate people like her not to beg. “I have a lot of needs and I know that if I go out to beg, I can get some money. But I don’t want this. If all those who have difficulties have to beg on the streets, at the crossroads, the city will be full of beggars,” she said. According to her, we must find an activity and seek support to get rid of instability one day. Therefore, she hopes to continue schooling to at least a bachelor’s degree level before working.
Also read: Portrait of a woman: Eliane Ouédraogo Bambara, who is blind, prefers working to begging
Situation of persons with disabilities in Burkina Faso
Mariam Sampego’s story is unique, but her situation is a common fate for many in Burkina Faso. According to the latest 2019 census, there were 184,975 people with disabilities aged two and over in Burkina Faso in 2019, and the disability rate among the population aged five and over was 1.1%.
The young student hopes to continue her studies and become a health worker
Handicap International points out that despite efforts to guarantee equal access to education, many children with disabilities, especially girls, are still excluded from the education system. A study she conducted showed that 66% of people with disabilities in Burkina Faso have never been to school and about 43.7% feel socially isolated. In the report on the consideration of inclusive education in the MENAPLN Action Plan 2022, the budget allocated to the Direction for the Promotion of Inclusive Education, Girls’ Education and Gender (DPEIEFG) to implement its activities totals 1,168,234,000 CFA francs, of which 18.63% is for the education of students with disabilities.
Also read: Burkina Faso / Humanitarian situation: People with physical disabilities, invisible in IDP camps
Farida Tiobiano
Lefaso.com
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